A new game lights up the screen, its vibrant colors dancing across the console. It’s bright green pipes leading to blue skies above and pink bricks below. Players can choose from four characters at the start, each with a unique jump and move. Luigi jumps highest; he just cleared a platform while Mario barely scraped it. Peach floats through, while Wario rolls into new areas with his fat form.

The gamepad responds smoothly under my fingers, the texture of its plastic cool against my skin. In this world, pipes connect to clouds, and platforms float in midair. I press Start to adjust settings, watching as the console’s menu scrolls across the screen. The sound is crisp, each beep and chime clear and distinct.

I jump into World 1-1, running down the road lined with mushrooms that grant extra speed. A Koopa trooper pops out from a shell, but I avoid it by jumping over. Ahead are blue flowers that make me spin. I collect them all, adding to my score. The camera follows closely as I move through the level.

At the end, I find a door leading underground. I press A to go in and face a new challenge. This game is filled with surprises and new ways to play familiar levels. I can’t wait to explore more.